Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My nerves frazzled and my heart hammered in my chest, yet I kept taking each step forward.
When we got to the beginning of the aisle, I could finally see Santino standing near the arch, and he was an irresistible sight to behold. The fit of the black tuxedo accentuated his strong shoulders, wide chest and trim waist. His smile showed from ear to ear.
A flame sparked in my heart and spread through my body.
That is my man. . .my husband.
“Damn, Rue cleans up well.” Merik whistled. “I might have to ask her out one day.”
I grinned under the veil and moved my view to the left.
My cousins and Rue donned breathtaking gold gowns.
Good job, Tomasso.
The gold material draped each woman and reflected their true personalities. Rue’s gown wasn’t too tight, yet it wrapped around her like an armored goddess. Alyssa wore a strapless one. Shanice had an hourglass figure that sparkled in hers. And Madeline remained conservative in a simple silk one.
We strolled forward, halfway down the aisle.
I noticed the men near Santino.
Before we headed out, Tomasso had rushed with spouting out the wedding party’s names, but I had made a special effort to remember the men that Santino had chosen to celebrate our special day.
Don Enzo stood next to him, representing the best man.
I blinked.
Shocked, that he wasn’t an older guy with a potbelly and tons of wrinkles.
Well, damn. Don Enzo isn’t bad looking.
All this time I had been thinking of the old Godfather films, and he shattered that thought.
I checked the other guys.
Standing next to the Don, Brizio DeLuca was tall, lean, and toned. He had a low-cut beard and a head full of dark curly hair that reached his shoulders. For some reason, he kept checking a woman in the audience. No doubt she must have been a girlfriend or wife.
Then, there was Nicolo DeLuca who had a sexy lumberjack vibe going on, yet much more sophisticated.
Finally, the last guy was Franco DeLuca. 6’4 and with a muscled frame, he had green eyes and chestnut hair. His hair was longer on top. Shorter on the sides. Angular lightly bearded jaw line and a slightly pointed chin.
The DeLuca men have some mighty good genes. I have no doubt Santino and I will have pretty babies.
With now only a few feet between Santino and me, my nervous gaze turned back to him. Instantly, this sense of warmth filled my heart.
Thank you, God.
I felt so whole, so connected to this man that I was now ready to commit my life to.
I took those last steps to his side, and that was when I noticed his eyes were watering.
Oh, baby.
He cleared his throat, telling me that he would not let one tear fall in front of his family.
The music stopped.
Pastor Martin stepped toward us, wearing a blood red robe. Long ago, he’d been a Killer Crow, now he only served God.
Last time I had seen him was at my siblings’ funeral. Now he served at my wedding.
He gave me a huge smile back and loudly spoke, “Who gives this lovely woman to this man today?”
Merik smirked. “I do. Merik Rashad Jones. Who is also single and looking, with very good credit and owns his own home, and not one baby mama.”
A few ladies giggled in the crowd.
Oh my God.
Pastor Martin sighed. “Well. . .single and looking Merik, you may sit down and be quiet now.”
Santino slowly moved the veil away. I wasn’t sure if that was a part of the ceremony, but I smiled.
Taking me in, Santino licked his lips.
I extended my arm in Santino’s direction. When our fingers entwined it felt like an electric current coursing through my veins.
Pastor Martin spoke, but I was unaware of the words coming out of his mouth. All I could focus on was Santino, and the passionate intensity flowing between us. I doubted Santino heard him either as he tenderly pulled me closer to him and began tracing circles on my palm with his thumb.
God, I love him.
The sun continued to set, casting a golden hue over the garden and bringing a sense of romanticism to the air. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, causing the colorful flower petals to dance wildly.
Suddenly, two men came over. One brought a small table and set it in front of us. Another had two trays of tiny vials. Each tray carried four vials.
What the hell is this?
I decided to start paying attention.
Pastor Martin walked over to the vials and loudly spoke. “Marriage is not a simple feat. Sometimes it isn’t all love and fun.”
A man bellowed, “Well.”
“No. No.” Pastor Martin shook his head. “Sometimes the good lord puts the marriage through trials and tribulations.”
A woman muttered, “Preach, Pastor.”
“That is why we will follow the Killer Crow tradition of Four Elements.”
Four what?
Santino widened his eyes and took in the vials.